The Malta Digital Innovation Authority is spurring the introduction of a local digital innovation hub – connected to a broader European network of similar entities – which will aid start-ups, small and medium sized companies, as well as public entities, transition their processes, services and products into the digital space.

The European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) in Malta will follow those set in other countries on the continent; these one-stop shops offer a range of assistance programmes, categorised within three pillars: services; access to technology; and entrepreneurship. To this end, the hub, which will be known as DiHubMT, will offer technical insight, testing facilities, and guidance to test certain digital technologies before investing liquidity and before implementation. In this way, the DiHubMT will be both rooted in local contexts, and connected to the wider network of 227 European digital hubs situated all across the continent.

The priority of DiHubMT will be to ensure access to effective technologies, funding and an innovative space that will aid in digital transformation and the creation of innovative start-ups and SMEs through an effective community; maintaining contact with industry will be integral to the successful fulfilment of this goal. Indeed, the MDIA is, currently, working on continuing to strengthen ties with its business networks, to strengthen the possibility of further public-private partnerships to the benefit of the DiHubMT clients.

To elaborate, DiHubMT will facilitate digital transformations in the spheres of Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and high-performance computing. It will also offer a “Test before Invest” programme; this will consist of funding, innovation ecosystems, networking, skills training and mentorship, as well as a high-tech workshop featuring AI tools, augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D, drones and robotics.

The MDIA presenting DiHubMT as Malta’s European Digital Innovation Hub.

There will also be access to a physical office space, as well as an entrepreneurship programme consisting of three-tier approach - a business incubator, a pre-accelerator and accelerator, which will encourage the development of ideas, business models, and distribution practices linking each start-up, SME and individual entrepreneur to its present and potential customers. The programme will also provide specialised services to entrepreneurs, assisting participants to raise funding for their companies and projects both through local and international funds. 

Moreover, DiHubMT will incorporate innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities, while the associated Digital Innovation Policy and Strategy, will be set up with the goal of bridging the gap between private enterprise, the European Commission and local Government.

The establishment of the DiHubMT is expected to run for three years, until 2025, with progress already steadily underway. Funding for the hub has been confirmed; this has allowed the MDIA to initiate the building of the hub’s physical presence in Mriehel; a digital presence, which includes a website; access to a technology community; and service catalogue will follow suit. .

In order to access these benefits, SMEs and start-ups will be able to contact DiHubMT directly, or through the online platform, which will also provide further information, and resources. The website will also bring each individual business in contact with a wider online community of other entities also in the process of digitising their offering. 

Since the authority’s inception in 2018, and as a result of its assistance to companies transitional to the digital, it has been key to the successes experienced by local businesses over the past few years, committed to digital transformation. This is particularly the case in the wake of COVID-19 which spurred further digitisation in business dealings, processes and company-client relationships. 

To effect this, the MDIA participated in a spate of initiatives, such as the Digital Europe Programme (DEP), which focused on the initiation of digital innovation hubs all across Europe.

This spurred the Authority’s involvement in the creation of the EDIH in Malta. Indeed, following its participation in the programme, the MDIA responded to an open and competitive call, submitted a successful application – under the DIGITAL-2021-EDIH-INITIAL-01 call – which came in high in the results table rankings, leading to the establishment of the DiHubMT.